International Day of Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities – United for Dignified and Autonomous Life in the Community Today, May 5th, we mark the International Day of Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities – a day dedicated to the ongoing fight for the right of every individual to live with dignity, independence, and equality, regardless of physical, sensory, or intellectual barriers. For the EMPOWERED project, this day is a strong reminder of a core value we advocate for every day across the Western Balkans: independent living is not a privilege – it is a fundamental human right. Despite gradual progress, persons with disabilities in our region still face significant challenges in realizing this right. According to a regional report by AGE Platform Europe and SeConS, less than 1.5%* of persons with disabilities in Western Balkan countries have access to formal services that enable independent living – such as personal assistance, home-based support, or accessible housing. These services are often limited to temporary or donor-funded projects, inconsistently financed, and largely unavailable in smaller towns and rural areas. The EMPOWERED project addresses these gaps through: ✅ Regional cooperation among organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), decision-makers, and local authorities;✅ Political dialogue aimed at improving legislation and public policies that safeguard the right to independent living;✅ Development of Local Action Plans for Inclusion in six Western Balkan countries, created with the direct participation of persons with disabilities;✅ Establishment and strengthening of community-based support services, enabling persons with disabilities to live independently, with choice and control over their own lives. These efforts all aim toward one goal: to ensure sustainable, systemic support for persons with disabilities in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the principles of non-discrimination, equality, and full participation. Independent living means having the right to choose where, with whom, and how to live.On this day – and every other day – we affirm that inclusion is not optional. It is a duty. *Source: Long-Term Care of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in the Western Balkans – AGE Platform Europe & SeConS, 2023.

At the heart of the Empowered WB initiative are the Local Inclusion Plans – key strategic documents developed to foster sustainable and meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities across the Western Balkans. 📊 These strategies have been carefully crafted through close collaboration with municipalities, local organizations, and groups representing persons with disabilities (PwDs). They are designed to serve as practical blueprints for improving access to education, employment opportunities, and social support systems at the local level. A central focus of the Empowered WB approach is to ensure that persons with disabilities are directly involved in the decision-making processes. By prioritizing their voices and experiences, the initiative ensures that the services and policies created truly reflect the real needs of the community and drive meaningful, lasting change. An important institutional achievement within this comprehensive framework is the partnership with the Employment Agency of Kosovo*. A cooperation agreement was recently signed between the Agency and the PREDA Plus Foundation, reinforcing the commitment to inclusive employment strategies and greater institutional support for persons with disabilities. Through these joint efforts, Empowered WB is building strong, community-driven foundations for inclusive societies—where accessibility, dignity, and opportunity are at the center of everyday life.